Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, shared how he and other allies convinced President Bola Tinubu to reject an offer to serve as Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Ojudu revealed this during an appearance on the podcast “State Affairs” hosted by Edmund Obilo.
Ojudu noted that accepting the role would have posed significant political risks for Tinubu, who was then the leader of the Action Congress. He recounted how he warned Tinubu about the potential fallout of the decision, citing the fate of Bola Ige, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was assassinated under controversial circumstances.
Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally of Tinubu and former Governor of Osun State, reportedly joined the discussion and supported Ojudu’s stance.
Ojudu emphasized that their differing visions during the 2023 presidential election, where he backed former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo instead of Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress ticket, were not personal.
Ojudu dismissed allegations of betrayal, stating that it was about their visions taking different routes and not personal animosity. He highlighted that loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country.
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